Naomi’s Story in the Bible Teaches Us About Grief

Grief is natural and normal. And it’s threaded throughout the Bible. The Bible affirms grief as normal. So, I want to introduce you to Naomi. Her story in the Bible teaches us about grief.

When we first find Naomi, we are introduced to her in the book of Ruth. Some could argue Naomi could have had a book of her own. And I say this because of how Naomi influenced Ruth. So much so that “her [Naomi’s] God became Ruth’s God. When we think about this, if it had not been for Naomi’s influence on Ruth, Ruth’s story would have been different.

In Ruth Chapter 1 verses 16-17, we read what Ruth says, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

Let’s take a look at Ruth 1:1-5 NIV

"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband" (Ruth 1:1-5 NIV).

From these verses, we learn of the losses Naomi experienced. And I believe we agree Naomi suffered an immense amount of loss in her life:

• The loss of her husband
• The loss of her 2 sons
• The loss of her possessions
• The loss of her home
• The loss of her sense of self

With each loss, Naomi grieved. Because it is natural and normal to do so.
I want to pause here to say, that with each of our losses, there are many losses. And every loss deserves the space and grace to be grieved.

So what does Naomi’s story teach us about grief? 

1. We can make space for grief AND joy.
2. How we must go where the presence of the Lord is…
3. That joy is given in, through, and by Jesus.

In the end, Naomi’s story teaches us that God restores us in ways we could never imagine. Even amid our grief.

I share Naomi’s story more in depth and included it within Chapter 11 Both/And Jesus in my book Can You Just Sit With Me? What I love about her story is the honesty we find in Naomi’s story as she expresses her grief, shows us her hope in the Lord, and how God restores her. Read more about how Naomi’s story teaches us about grief and more in my book here.